We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Nova recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I play multiple instruments, but in the beginning I was very very self taught (still am!). I decided to start learning an instrument when I was 13, my first year in highschool. That’s when I started really getting into music. I began with guitar, but quickly gave up and took up bass instead. I think self learning is an effective tool especially when starting out, but can definitely come with some cons. For example, I never learned how to hold a pick properly when starting out, and i never really learned much music theory either (because I found it sooo boring). On the bright side, I found time to practice every day, and I only learned songs that I really really liked, so learning how to play was super rewarding and exciting for me.
Now I play around 6 instruments, with bass, guitar, and piano being my main 3! Some instruments I had to take lessons for, like drums and piano, but I enjoy being able to pick up an instrument and learn a song that I like on it. I think that’s the best way to learn a new instrument for anyone, honestly.
I think the main obstacles that come with learning an instrument are constant improvement. I became (and still do become) stuck in a certain skill level because I wouldn’t choose songs that challenged my playing ability. So I would just know how to play super beginner level bass lines and would never venture outside of that comfort zone. That changed a lot when, in high school, I joined a cover band that wanted to learn more intricate/difficult songs. We played songs by Tool, Muse, Nirvana, etc. And I could almost immediately notice a difference in my skill level!
Now I mainly just work on writing songs instead of learning, but I think challenging yourself to do more will always be the best way to improve your craft. I don’t think you ever really stop learning an instrument.

Ashley , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ashley Nova, I started a band in 2018 called Dead Boyfriend! I love a wide variety of music, but our genre falls somewhere around the indie rock/folk rock/singer songwriter/punk/piano rock genres. When I originally started the band, it was just me making music by myself in my room. I was inspired to start making music by myself by the band Car Seat Headrest, who also started out that way. I had no knowledge of recording, writing a song, or putting an album together, but I released 3 albums and 2 EPs by myself within 4 years!
I have a strong passion for writing, music, and art, and it’s always been my dream to be able to share those things with people for a living.
Now, I finally have a band, and we’ve begun to play live shows, as well as recording an album professionally in a studio for the first time!
I’m insanely proud of my last album, Strangers Forever, because it was my most ambitious project to date, and I did almost everything on that album myself. We even got one of the songs ‘way to go, you’re an arsonist now!’ on the radio (thanks indie 102.3!)
I think Dead Boyfriend is a fresh, new sound in the Denver music scene because we love genre and instrument jumping, and I love writing songs that aren’t structurally or lyrically conventional. We’re inspired by the likes of Fiona Apple, Amanda Palmer, Regina Spektor, to Nirvana, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Pixies, etc. We just love weird music! Keep an eye out for our first ever professionally recorded album, Battle Of Carthage. Coming out soon!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I think for any creative, being able to just continue making art through hardship is a very difficult but rewarding thing to do. There are a lot of people who create just as a hobby, without expecting to get any money or reward out of it. But for creatives, it’s a lot harder to think of it that way when you’re trying to make it your career. I’ve definitely struggled with being disappointed that a song or album didn’t get as much attention as I wanted it to, or not making a lot of money off of a show. I’ve always just wanted to view my art like a hobby that I’m really really passionate about, where I don’t care about the financial gain; I just want to make art that’s true to me, that will make me happy. I’ve also lost way more money than gained in this creative journey, but it’s worth it in the end to make art that I’m happy with, and that I am genuinely excited to share with the world.
I think I’m resilient because even through these hardships, I never once considered giving up music or art as my passion. I will always be trying to create and pursue this career, because I know it’s what I’m meant to do.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It sounds corny but for me, it’s being able to reach people and communicate a message. Whenever people tell me they resonated with a song or that they like a particular line it makes me sooo happy! I also write a lot of songs about my anxiety, experience with mental health, and feminism as well, so whenever someone tells me they were moved by a song and connected with it i’m elated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://deadboyfriend666.carrd.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydeadboyfriend/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsmjmU2C7ascopVVgm5VuLg

Image Credits
Thomas Tanner